The Beauty of Mathematics

[Thrasher]

The Beauty of Mathematics

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321


1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111


9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888


Brilliant, isn't it?

And finally, take a look at this symmetry:


1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

[Ryan44]

I think that’s impressive, Trasher. Now, I don’t have much aptitude for math, but I retain my admiration for people who show great promise in this subject.

* * *

Here follows a few of my thoughts on the utility of math.

MATH: USEFUL OR USELESS?

I know this question has been asked a bit by disgruntled students, young and old: (1) Do I need Math? That leads to this question: (2) can I make do without math? The answers, respectively, are (1) yes -- to understand certain things -- and (2) no and yes -- depends on what you’re studying and what you’re doing.

Therefore, math is infinitely important in general, but varies in importance in particular.

Do We Need Math?

Does knowledge of math help us? Yes. Certain normal functions in life would not be possible without math; neither would some important matters. We would not have a market economy without math (no exchanges of any kind); we would not be able to buy or play video games; we would not have many achievements in the sciences … Far too many things in life require math that I can’t list even a handful of them.

The Usefulness of Math

How useful is math to certain people? Depending on one's profession, there can be three possible scenarios:

-Math can be of paramount usefulness. Professions based on math are legion. Math is needed for a career in most natural sciences, no doubt about that. How can an astronomer or physicist do his job without knowledge of complex math? And what self-respecting mathematician would not study calculus?

-Math can be marginally useful. Even if one is not interested in a career in math or science, the study of math can be quite helpful to those pursuing something else. Economists know the value of math, as do psychometricians.

-Math can be useless. For those whose careers don’t even touch the periphery of math, advanced math is optional at best: a mere luxury. It’s somewhat hard to think of a reason to need calculus if one’s a historian or a writer. If these people wanted to study math at such a high level, then they would be studying to become scientists and mathematicians in the first place, not philosophers or artists.

My View

I see the value of simple math, with its many practical benefits. However, more complex math seems to me to be the province of those whose careers mandate such understandings. If you’re not studying to become a mathematician or someone else who needs complex math, then why put yourself through the trouble?

But, perhaps it is just my personal bias. I’ve never been good at math (or science); but, I’ve always gravitated towards subjects that can be called “social science” or “humanities”: history, philosophy, theology, politics, et al.

In a sense, I find it strange why I cannot handle mathematics in the same manner as philosophy. If math is nothing more than “the rule of the syllogism in its particular application to number and measurement,” and thus “a sub- department of Logic,” [1] why don’t I get math the same way I get Logic in its non-numerical and non-measuremental forms? (One example of this kind of Logic is this rather-simple syllogism:

All men are mortal.

Socrates is a man.

Therefore, Socrates is a mortal.)

I guess it comes down to one of two different reasons for why I can‘t get math:

1. I lack the intellectual capacity to comprehend higher math. (Doubtful; if it’s so, shouldn‘t every other subject be closed to me?)

2. I’ve been lazy. (Likely; if it’s so, I then retain the ability to understand higher math if I tried.)

I’ve leaning towards number 2. I’m sure I can handle advanced math if I gave it as much effort as I give history.


Conclusion

Math is important and helpful, but it depends on what you profession you choose. If you are in the social sciences or humanities, math is unimportant; if you are in a social science that requires statistics or equations, such as economics, math is important, but not the overriding thing; and if you are pursing a career in the natural sciences (e.g., engineering, computer science) or in mathematics proper, math becomes supreme.

Notes

[1]. Sayers, Dorothy, “The Lost Tools of Learning” (http://www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html) (paper presented at Oxford University, Oxford, England, 1947).

[mcnugget13]

Off topic-Ryan how long does it take you to type?

To me math should be easy as my IQ shows but my report card says otherwise ( I got a D :cry: )
But thrasher you are very clever to find that out

[Dark_MEMENTO]

I don't like math. My teacher's a slave driver, and all my amazing mathmatical talent is scuppered because I'm terrifyed of a life of detention.

Although it is an interesting subject, and I commend Thrasher's ability to multiply to such an extent. Nice one.;)

[Spartan]

All right two weeks into Summer and how does this go?:

1
1 1
1 2 1
1 3 3 1
1 4 6 4 1
1 5 10 10 5 1

Meh, it's geting off track and I'm not even sure if I'm doing it right anymore. But it's Binomial expansion, I believe. For anyone who has no idea what I'm talking about stare at the triangle and see if you can find the pattern. ;)

[Leighton Darko]

Ohhh, I hate binomial expansions.
Had to do them forever in Algebra II.
Then again, I hate math period -- I suck horribly at it -- so this topic makes my head spin. ):

[Dark_MEMENTO]

Riddle Master!!

You have the number that is the answer from the numbers above. So:

1
1 1
One is the answer above each of those. So the more rows you get, the bigger numbers you get. So try going onwards like that on Spartans's Terror Triangle.

so if it's: 1
1 1
then: 1 2 1
then: 1 3 2 3 1
One will always be on the outside.

Written in white so as not to spoil it.

[mcnugget13]

The only sequence I can remember is the Fibonacci Sequence:0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89,etc.

[Senses Fail]

Math is confusing and that math pattern on first post is cool :D

[-Avocado-]

I find math really easy, but I don't apply myself. It is a bit obvious, as I wouldn't turn in my homework a lot of the time (or I would do it the period before it was due :o), yet on tests and quizzes I would get a perfect almost every time. I have an IQ in the upper 150's (can't remember exactly what).

I'd say math is needed just to live in today's society. Not necessarily advanced math, but at least basic math. If you aren't good at math, you probably won't take a job that requires you to use it a lot. There are plenty of jobs that don't need math (as Ryan said).

[SD rulez]

Math is very easy for me. I don't try at all and I got 93% last term. We'll see how Pre-Calc goes next year.